Japhet, in Search of a Father eBook

And when I reflected, I could but acknowledge that
the worthy apothecary might be right, and, that I
was running after shadows; but this was only in my
occasional fits of despondency. I soon rallied,
and was as sanguine as ever. Undecided how to
proceed, and annoyed by what Cophagus had said, I
quitted the hotel, to walk out, in no very good humour.
As I went out, I perceived the agent M’Dermott
speaking to the people in the bar, and the sight of
him reminded me of what, for a moment, I had forgotten,
which was, to ascertain whether Melchior and Sir Henry
de Clare were one and the same person. As I passed
a crossing, a man in tattered habiliments, who was
sweeping it, asked for alms, but being in no very
charitable humour, I walked on. He followed me,
pestering me so much, that I gave him a tap with the
cane in my hand, saying to him, “Be off, you
scoundrel.”

“Oh! very well. Be off, is it you mane?
By the blood of the O’Rourkes but you’ll
answer for that same, anyhow.”

I passed on, and having perambulated the city of Dublin
for some time, returned to the hotel. A few minutes
afterwards, I was told by the waiter that a Mr O’Donaghan
wished to speak to me. “I have not the
honour of his acquaintance,” replied I, “but
you may show him up.”

Mr O’Donaghan entered, a tall, thick-whiskered
personage, in a shabby—­genteel dress, evidently
not made for him, a pair of white cotton gloves, and
a small stick. “I believe that I have the
honour of spaking to the gentleman who crossed over
the street about two hours ago?”

“Upon my word, sir,” replied I, “that
is so uncertain a definition, that I can hardly pretend
to say whether I am the person you mean; indeed, from
not having the pleasure of any one’s acquaintance
in Dublin, I rather think there must be some mistake.”

“The devil a bit of a mistake, at all at all;
for there’s the little bit of cane with which
you paid my friend, Mr O’Rourke, the compliment
over his shoulders.”

“I really am quite mystified, sir, and do not
understand you; will you favour me with an explanation?”

“With all the pleasure in life, for then we
shall come to a right understanding. You were
crossing the street, and a gentleman, a particular
friend of mine, with a broom which he carries for his
own amusement, did himself the honour to address you,
whereupon of that same little stick of yours, you
did him the honour to give him a slight taste.”

“What do you mean? do you refer to the sweeper,
who was so importunate when I crossed over the road?”

“Then, by the powers, you’ve just hit
it, as you did him. That’s my particular
friend, Thaddeus O’Rourke, gentleman.”

“Gentleman!” exclaimed I.

“And with as good and as true Milesian blood
as any in Ireland. If you think, sir, that because
my friend, just for his own amusement, thinks proper
to put on the worst of his clothes and carry a broom,
just by way of exercise, to prevent his becoming too
lusty, he is therefore to be struck like a hound,
it’s a slight mistake, that’s all; and
here, sir, is his card, and you will oblige me by
mentioning any friend of yours with whom I may settle
all the little points necessary before the meeting
of two gentlemen.”